This blog was created by the Purdue Beef Team as an educational forum for beef producers and Extension educators. It includes timely news, issues, and management tips that have the potential to affect the beef business and decision-making process. Opinions expressed in the news clips do not necessarily represent those of Purdue University or the beef industry.

It’s often what you can’t see that makes the biggest difference. Minerals, for example, affect a lot of what’s going on inside a cow. While the cost of a good program can be pennies a day, it’s only money well spent if it meets the needs of the herd.

New tools are now available to help consumers answer questions about today’s beef production, including information explaining the difference between grass-fed and organic beef and what the terms "antibiotic-free" and "raised without antibiotics" mean.

Last year’s drought will likely affect this year’s hay acreage in Mississippi. Rocky Lemus, forage specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said he anticipates about 690,000 hay acres. The state had about 750,000 acres devoted to hay production in 2016.

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Harvesting hay from the road right-of-way is a common practice in many parts of the United States. While the phrase “It’s better than feeding snowballs” is often associated with road ditch hay, a logical follow-up question might be “Is it?”

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The upcoming BeefMeets events being held by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association are an opportunity for not only cattle producers to learn and interact, but also Iowa’s youth who are interested in the cattle industry. Youth are invited and encouraged to attend BeefMeets to participate in the Youth Beef Team training that will occur at each of these regional meetings. Registration and training is free.

Scott Thomas said he was concerned about the physical effects from eating factory-farmed beef, but like most consumers, he needs to watch his wallet. "I have a problem with antibiotics in the beef," said Thomas. Thomas found ‘Crowd Cow,’ an online "cow funding" site that offers the opportunity to choose cuts of meat you want from animals that are grass fed and raised in a humane environment. Once all the cuts are claimed, your selection is sent overnight in proper packaging.